title: Headache and epilepsy.
abstract: Headache and epilepsy often co-occur. Epidemiologic studies conducted in the past few years reinforce the notion of a bi-directional association between migraine and epilepsy. Data on an association between headache (in general) and epilepsy, however, are less clear. Peri-ictal headache often presents with migraine-like symptoms and can be severe. A correct diagnosis and management are paramount. It was demonstrated that cortical hyperexcitability may underlie both epilepsy and migraine. A recent study linked spreading depolarisation, the supposed underlying pathophysiological mechanism of migraine with aura, to epilepsy. Although this study was carried out in patients who had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage, the finding may shed light on pathophysiological mechanisms common to epilepsy and migraine.
authors.affiliation: SEIN Epilepsy Institute in the Netherlands Foundation, Heemstede, The Netherlands, P.O. Box 540, 2130 AM, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carpay
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Terwindt
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sander
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Thijs
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haan
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Visser
mesh_terms: D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D015897:Comorbidity; D013181:Cortical Spreading Depression; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D062550:NAV1.1 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / Q000235:genetics; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D062550:NAV1.1 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel; C568242:SCN1A protein, human